Elite: Dangerous vs Frontier: Elite II
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Elite: Dangerous puts you behind the cockpit of a starship in a stunning, 1:1 scale recreation of the Milky Way. From bustling trade hubs to the farthest reaches of uncharted space, the game offers limitless freedom to chart your own destiny. Whether you prefer solo exploration, tight‑knit invite‑only groups, or the bustling open‑world MMO experience, every mode delivers deep simulation, intense combat, and a living galaxy full of politics and power struggles.
Frontier: Elite II puts you in command of a starship with limited funds, letting you trade, fight, hunt criminals, or serve governments across an astronomically large universe. The game offers virtually unrestricted freedom to travel to any of the roughly 100 billion planets and moons, making each journey unique. Its open‑world design and deep simulation mechanics deliver a timeless space adventure that rewards curiosity, skill, and strategic planning, all within a single‑player experience.
- Massive, realistic galaxy
- Deep, player‑driven economy
- Full VR and cross‑platform support
- Rich single‑player and MMO experiences
- Massive, explorable universe
- Deep economic and trading systems
- Realistic flight and combat physics
- High replayability
- Steep learning curve for new pilots
- High system requirements for optimal visuals
- Multiplayer can be competitive and unforgiving
- Steep learning curve for new players
- Outdated graphics by modern standards
- Limited documentation and tutorials
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Elite: Dangerous
View all →
Explore the vast verse, trade, fight, and live out your sci-fi dreams in this open-world space MMO.
Explore the vast Sirius sector and trade across planetary systems in this sci-fi space adventure.
Alternatives to Frontier: Elite II
View all →
Explore the vast verse, trade, fight, and live out your sci-fi dreams in this open-world space MMO.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataFrontier: Elite II offers a cheaper, classic single‑player space sim with massive procedural content but dated graphics, while Elite: Dangerous provides a modern, higher‑priced experience with a 1:1 Milky Way, VR support and multiplayer modes.
Key differences
- •Universe scale: Elite II uses procedural generation (~100 billion bodies) vs. Elite: Dangerous’ 1:1 real Milky Way mapping.
- •Multiplayer: Elite II is single‑player only; Elite: Dangerous includes co‑op, MMO and cross‑platform play.
- •VR & graphics: Elite II has outdated graphics and no VR; Elite: Dangerous supports full VR and requires higher system specs.
- •Price: Elite II costs $49.99; Elite: Dangerous costs $59.99.
- •Release era: Elite II (1993) vs. Elite: Dangerous (2014) – affecting technology, support and community activity.
Gameplay & fun factor
Elite II’s six‑degree Newtonian flight and deep economic system appeal to classic sim fans.
Platform availability
Elite: Dangerous runs on PC, consoles and VR; Elite II is limited to its original platform.
Price & value
$49.99 vs. $59.99; both one‑time purchases, Elite II is cheaper.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Elite: Dangerous offers single‑player, co‑op, MMO and cross‑play; Elite II is single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Both feature massive universes and dynamic economies, providing extensive replay value.
Difficulty & accessibility
Both have steep learning curves, but Elite: Dangerous adds tutorials and modern UI, easing new players slightly.
Graphics & performance
Elite: Dangerous has modern graphics and VR support, though it needs higher specs; Elite II’s graphics are outdated.
Choose Elite: Dangerous if…
Buy Elite: Dangerous if you prefer modern visuals, VR, and online play with friends.
Choose Frontier: Elite II if…
Buy Frontier: Elite II if you want a low‑cost, classic single‑player sim and don’t need VR or multiplayer.
Common questions
Which game is cheaper?
Frontier: Elite II costs $49.99; Elite: Dangerous costs $59.99.
Do either of these support VR?
Only Elite: Dangerous offers full VR support; Elite II does not.
Can I play with friends?
Elite: Dangerous includes co‑op and MMO modes for multiplayer; Elite II is single‑player only.